A comparative study on immunophenotypic characterization and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from periodontal ligament (PDL) and gingiva can be used for the development of cell-based regenerative approaches in dentistry and medicine. The purpose of this investigation was to establish a method for isolation of human stem cells from the PDL and gingiva, multilineage differentiation of those cells, and comparison of periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs) and gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs).

PDL and gingival tissues of third molar teeth were digested enzymatically and the proliferative potential of human PDLMSCs and GMSCs was compared by MTT assay. The expression of cell surface epitopes was analyzed by flow cytometry. To investigate the multilineage differentiation capacity of these stem cells, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was achieved. The specific staining of nodules was performed to evaluate differentiation, whereas the expression of alkalin phosphatase (ALP) and collagen A I (COL I) genes was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The outgrown cells derived from PDL and gingival tissues were similar, fibroblast-like, and spindle-shaped. Further, the proliferation potential of GMSCs was greater than PDLMSCs. Both types of stem cells expressed MSC precursor markers, including CD73, CD90, and CD105, whereas they were negative for hematopoietic markers, including CD34 and CD45. PDLMSCs demonstrated more osteogenic potential compared to GMSCs with strong mineral noduls, and significantly greater expression of up-regulated bone-related markers ALP and COL I.

MSCs derived from PDL and gingiva demonstrated multipotent characteristics, suggesting new therapeutic approaches in tissue engineering and PDLMSCs are more appropriate candidates for this purpose.